The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1887-06-02

"But he that shall endure unto the
end, the same shall be saved. Matt.
24-13.
While Jesus sat upon the Mount of
Olives, his disciples importuned him
to inform them when his coming
should be, and what should be the 81 gn
thereof. The admonition was given
them to be steadfast and faithful, as
many should come in his name, and as
false prophets. There was not to be
any violent manifestation to them,
any vigorous sensation that should de-
note any great transformation upon
their part from things temporal to
things spiritual He was to come as
the great comforter, quiet, tender, yet
all powerful. The heart should be
made the realm Of his authority, and
the citidel of his abode. He was to
come, not with herald of trumpets,
nor even with an accompaniment of
songs; he was to come as modest, re-
tiring visitor, asking entrance into
every human heart; but not as some
un-thinking persons would have us
think, as tramp, demanding entrance;
and begging for morsel and lodg-
ing place.
In the light of the lessons that come
to us through sacred history, we some
times wonder at the short-sightedness,
the apparent lack of faith. even Of
Christ's chosen disciples. They chose
rather to. have visible signs of the full
fllment of the divine promises, than
to trust to the we'll known love of the
Son of God They believed him-oh
yes! But what sign would he give
that he was in earnest in the manner
of making the promises? There was
none of that simple faith that just ac-
cepts the divine promise as the limit
Of Christian hope, and looks to the fu-
ture in full expectancy of the realiza-
ton of every promise 1t is trait of
the human character to be suspicious.
This of course is not general, in a
marked degree, but the mind in which
there fingers no suspicion whatever, is
the exception. Occasionally we see a
man who believes that every body is per-
fectly honest, upright and true to all
promises. Such person is the excep-
ton, and frequently gets badly taken
in. This trait, or good impulse, if you
please to cali it by that name, often
finds expression in men of strong
minds and large experience. General
Grant, who could not be deceived by
all the willy arts of the foe in camp or
field, who watched with eagle eye
every movement of those with whom
he had to deal, would never suspicion
those whom he had been led to believe
were his friends, and as consequence
many thoughtless persons censured
the great man for the misconduct of
those in whom he had reposed conf
dence. Such illustrations as these
furnish beautiful pictures of the oppo-
site sides of the human character, the
simple faith on the one hand, and the
unholy betrayed on the other. Ere
quently, however, the other extreme
is the case. Take the safe business
man, in the wholesale trade, for in
stance: When a customer, one who
has not made repution for safety
with the house by long dealing, seeks
to establish relations or purchase an
occasion bill Of goods, the merchant
will entertain the customer with all
the Establishments known to polite
ness, make him comfortable, invite
him to make himself perfectly at
home" and so on. Meanwhile con-
fidential clerk has slipped around to
the Commercial Agency and inquired
into the business standing Of the Gus
toner, who, perhaps, has money in
his pocket to pay for all the goods he
desires to order The suspicion Of the
merchant had become business rule,
and safe business method. This
feeling Of uneasiness regarding the fu-
ture conduct of those whose promises
we have, comes of our knowledge of
each other. This is lamentable, but
it is true. Yea, further 1t comes
from our knowledge of ourselves.
We see course of action under cer-
tain circumstances. That course Of
action is based upon the impulse which
first strikes US under the circumstances
of the moment. And that course Of
action, shall we say it? is such as we
would naturally take. We suspicion
others from the fact that we know
ourselves so well. But this suspicion
is not what prompted the disciples to
ask visible sign of the Savior, con-
cerning his coming. 1t is rather tn.
outgrowth of an incredulity which is
permitted to grow and choke up the
avenues of the heart, just as the grass
es, pretty enough if kept at the proper
hight, will grow and choke the most
beautiful flowers.
The beautiful words of the Savior